More than two thousand years after its first written documentation by ancient astronomers and astrologers, astrology remains a complex art and science that applies symbolic meaning to astronomical information.
Sidereal (also known as Vedic or Hindu) astrologers use the current astronomical positions of the constellations, while Western astrologers use the ancient positions of the constellations, also known as Tropical and is by far the most popular way of chart interpretation. Despite their obvious differences, the two methods are both effective – albeit you may have always thought you were a Gemini (Tropical) and then find out actually you’re a Taurean (sidereal)!
To begin, an astrologer will use your birth information to construct a natal chart, also known as a horoscope (so much more than just the sun sign horoscope we read in magazines!). These days, most charts are created on computers – I personally use Luna, which greatly improves their accuracy. However, their precision depends on the details you give them. If you only know you were born “around 5 p.m.,” any good astrologer will tell you to find out the exact time of your birth or have your chart corrected. This is called birth-time rectification.
In order to paint a complete picture of you and your life, astrologers interpret each part of your chart separately and then put it all together. We look at the location of the planets, asteroids and nodes, the degrees, the houses each planet occupies, and its ruler, and then we start to look at how they interact with each other – these are called aspects. Aspects include Squares, Sextiles, Trines, Oppositions and Conjunctions and give a flavour for some of the challenges and easier paths you may have through life.
There are many different kinds of astrological interpretations, including those that shed light on your personality overall, those that zero in on specific areas of difficulty, those that compare your chart to that of a loved one, friend, colleague, etc (known as synastry), those that help you choose the best place to live (astrocartography), those that predict your future opportunities, those that help you pick the best time to get married, start a business, or seek spiritual enlightenment, and those that answer your questions.
Most astrologers provide some combination of these services, and some may even focus exclusively on one or two areas, like love or work. I personally look at the aspects and planets when you were born and relate this to your Human Design chart to help you better understand your soul’s purpose. I also offer my long-standing coaching clients a year-ahead transit review to help them plan their business launches and career opportunities.
You can use astrology most effectively if you first learn to assess a situation on your own, then consider the options available to you for dealing with that situation, and finally consult an astrologer to find out which of those options will be most beneficial to you, as well as the optimal times for making any necessary adjustments, taking any necessary risks, waiting it out, making any necessary plans, etc. You will have the tools to overcome obstacles, make positive changes, and become the person you’ve always imagined you could be once you absorb all that data.
Samantha is an intuitive healer and visionary who holds space for heart-centric souls to discover their strengths, find their true purpose and take bold steps towards living a life aligned with their core values and soul purpose. Through a fusion of psychology, spirituality, Human Design, Reiki Energy Healing, and two decades of business experience, Samantha has supported hundreds of people to find their purpose, live life with more flow, and build thriving businesses.
She is is a registered practitioner with UK Reiki Federation and CMA.
As a though-leader, her work has been featured in numerous publications and television appearances on BBC and Channel 5 News.
